Vernon Davis assuming blocking duties

— It didn’t appear that Vernon Davis was involved in one of the 49ers‘ biggest plays of the season, Alex Smith’s game-winning touchdown pass to tight end Delanie Walker in a 25-19 victory at Detroit on Oct. 16.

But offensive coordinator Greg Roman noted Thursday that the Pro Bowl tight end played a key role on that play. Davis, he said, attracted three Lions defenders, one of countless examples of how his presence has created openings for his teammates this season.

Later, Davis was asked about the play in Detroit. Did he take satisfaction in playing such an important, if overlooked, role?

“I hate it,” Davis said. “It sucks. It sucks because I definitely want to get my hands on the ball so I can help this team win games. If I don’t, and we’re winning, I’ll take that. I’ll take it.”

Davis, a Washington, D.C., native who played at Maryland, has been besieged by ticket requests for the 49ers’ meeting against the Redskins on Sunday. Davis has ordered 90 tickets for the game.

But Davis might have trouble fulfilling the statistical requests he’s received from friends and family eager for him to star in his return, They’ve said ” ‘Vernon, I need you to light it up this week – two touchdowns, 160 yards,’ ” Davis explained.

One-hundred-sixty yards? In one game? In his past four games, Davis has 12 catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns. He’s had less than 50 yards receiving in six of seven games this season and is on pace to finish with 62 catches, 681 yards and seven touchdowns. Davis averaged 67 catches, 940 yards and 10 touchdowns the last two seasons.

“You know what, it is frustrating,” Davis said. “But I’m a team guy. I’m a team guy. I’m willing to suck it up and do whatever I have to do to help my team win games. Doing all the dirty work I call it, which coach Roman calls it as well. It’s exciting, where we’re headed. We’re definitely headed in the right direction, so I’m definitely not going to complain about it. I’m just going to wait for my opportunities and when they come, I will take advantage of them.”

Davis’ stats have taken a hit due, in part, to the 49ers’ success.

Last year, the Niners averaged 36.4 pass attempts and passed on 61.7 percent of their offensive plays en route to their 1-6 start. This season, with San Francisco featuring a running game ranked sixth in the NFL and often nursing second-half leads, they’ve averaged 26.4 pass attempts and have passed on 46.4 percent of their offensive plays.

Davis isn’t the only pass-catcher whose numbers have dipped. Walker (11 catches, 114 yards), for example, is on pace for 25 catches and 261 yards. Walker had 29 catches and 331 yards last year.

“Our numbers are low,” Walker said. “People always ask us if we’re mad that we’re not getting the ball like other tight ends because they think we’re the best two in the league. But blocking gets you noticed, too, in this league. Whatever helps the team win, I’m happy with it. The catches will come.”

For his part, Davis hopes his catches finally come this season on the NFL’s biggest stage.

“If I can go and not get passes and then get into the Super Bowl and be Super Bowl MVP,” he said, “that means a lot more to me.”

And if he wasn’t the game’s MVP?

“We made it,” Davis said. “And hopefully we’ll win. And I can live with that, too.”